The Maranta Leuconeura, also known as the Lemon Lime Prayer plant, is a fantastic houseplant that looks wonderful in a floor planter or a hanging basket.
If you wish to bring this lovely foliage into your home, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about this plant, so you’re prepared.
The Origins of Lemon Lime Maranta (Calathea)
Maranta leuconeura is a Brazilian tropical forest native. The plant family Marantaceae includes Maranta, Stromanthe, Calathea, and Ctenanthe.
It grows as a low ground cover beneath trees and spreads quickly from the center of clusters thanks to its rhizomatous solid roots. The leaves are oval and have beautiful veining. Because of their patterning and colors, prayer-plants are also known as “peacock plants.”
Overview of Lemon Lime Maranta (Calathea)
It’s an indoor plant with lime green or white lines running down the leaf-spine. Their leaves are varied in dark, light green, and yellow tones. Sometimes the veining mimics a herringbone pattern.
Is Lemon Lime Maranta (Calathea) Rare?
It’s hard to find a lemon-lime maranta in some regions or states. Even if you find one, the cost is likely to be expensive. However, as it is native to Brazil, getting one there is relatively simple.
Is Lemon Lime Maranta (Calathea) Toxic?
Maranta plants are non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. So, your pets are free to roam about these plants.
This plant can be placed in your home without anxiety if eaten by tiny creatures but will have no significant side effects.
What Causes Prayer-Plants to Close Up at Night?
The pulvinus is the mechanism that causes nyctinasty (reaction to darkness) in prayer-plants. Pulvini are joint-like clusters of cells found at the base of leaves. Depending on the amount of liquid in each cell, it will either expand or contract. As the size of those cells changes, pressure is created, causing the leaf to move.
How to Care for Lemon Lime Maranta (Calathea)
Give your Lemon Lime Maranta plant what it needs to thrive, and you’ll have a thriving plant.
Potting
Because terracotta encourages the soil to dry up too quickly, you should always use a plastic pot for your prayer-plant. Maranta’s should be planted in shallow pots with suitable drainage holes to match their shallow root system.
It’s much easier to over-water and drown your delicate plant in a deep pot.
Watering
The most important thing to understand about the Lemon Lime Maranta plant is that it dislikes being dried out. It’s preferable to water once a week or when the soil begins to dry out. When the leaves start to curl towards the center, it’s time to water them.
Water your plants with warm water. It more closely resembles their natural environment and is more compatible with these plants. During the colder months, when the prayer plant will not be growing as much as it does during the hot months, it is also essential to reduce the amount of watering.
The Ideal Temperature
Temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are best for this sort of plant. This temperature range keeps your plants healthy, and it’s an average room temperature. They usually can’t deal with anything less or more.
Soil
The plant prefers peat-based potting soil. The most important thing is to make sure that the potting mixture you choose is well-draining.
You can also make your own mix by combining one part of peat moss, perlite, and potting soil. The pH of the soil should be between 5.5 and 6.0; these plants prefer it that way.
Lighting
Maranta doesn’t like direct sunlight since it bleaches its leaves, robbing the plant of its vibrant color. To get the best growing results, place yours in an area with good indirect light.
It’s as simple as keeping them near the shaded windows. Give the plants plenty of sunlight if you want them to pray more.
Pruning
When you discover sick or fading leaves on your lemon lime prayer-plants, you’ll need to prune them. Pruning your plant not only improves its appearance but also fosters new, strong growth.
Fortunately, you can prune a maranta up to three times a year without harming it, so you can keep it looking its best.
Fertilizing
For ideal growth results, feed your lemon lime maranta every two weeks from spring to fall. Fertilizers assist plants in maintaining a reasonable growth rate. Water-soluble fertilizers are the best to use.
You should avoid using cheap fertilizers since they will harm your plant.
Humidity
Maranta Leuconeura thrives in high humidity, and you may keep it moist by misting it frequently. If you can keep them near water at all times, such as in the bathroom or kitchen, they’ll be the happiest and healthiest.
Another option is to set up a water jug or tray. The air humidity level rises as this water evaporates.
Repotting
Always check your plants if they get root-bound and have sluggish development because it means it’s time to repot them. I recommend choosing a pot 1-2 inches larger and broader than the previous one when repotting.
You don’t need to follow any specific instructions as long as you keep the plant healthy and safe throughout the process.
How to Propagate Lemon Lime Maranta (Calathea)
Once you’ve started gardening, you’ll always want to expand your collection of favorite plants. There are two primary methods for propagating your lemon lime prayer-plants. Either technique is convenient and simple in its own way, depending on your preferences.
Stem Cuttings
This is the most effective method of propagating a maranta lemon-lime.
- Look for the node to cut on a healthy stem of the plant. You should cut at a node, which is the point where the leaf joins the stem.
- Cut the stem immediately below the leaf node with sharp, sterilized scissors or shears. Make sure at least one node on the cutting is intact, as this is where new roots will grow.
- Dip the cutting’s end into the water, then into the rooting hormone. The second dip allows the cutting to root quickly, but it is optional.
- After that, prepare the cutting by planting it in the combination of your choice. It might be a combination of peat moss and perlite, but any sort will suffice. To keep the mixture moist at all times, water it thoroughly.
- Cover the container with plastic to maintain a high humidity level for the cutting, allowing it to thrive. Remember to punch a few tiny holes in the plastic to allow air to pass through. These small holes are necessary because they will enable the cutting to absorb some sunlight.
- Place the cutting in a sunny spot, but keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid scorching it. You can transplant the roots to a new pot once they are about 1 inch long. With care, the cutting will quickly grow into another lovely lemon-lime prayer plant.
Root Division
This procedure is quick, but it has the potential to damage the roots as it progresses.
- Remove the root ball from the soil with care, then divide the plant into parts. Before you do anything further, inspect the root ball and take out any damaged brown roots. For this step, you’ll need a pair of clean scissors or pruning shears.
- Once all the problematic roots have been removed, divide the part with one stem and one leaf. To maximize the chances of their growth when you propagate them, there should be many roots.
- Then, in little separate pots, pot the pieces that you separated according to the divisions that you have. To help the plants grow faster, keep them wet and warm during the first two weeks.
Lemon Lime Maranta’s (Calathea) Common Issues
It’s probably a good idea to know what can harm your plants, especially if they’re new.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are consistently one of the most common indoor plant pests. These mites are exceedingly small and cannot be seen with the naked eye. They do, however, leave webbings on the leaves, giving the plant a dusty appearance.
The first step is to give the plant a thorough cleaning with a forceful stream of water. Then, to suffocate the mites and their eggs, use plant-based oils; neem oil is effective.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs will cause curling leaves with a sticky substance on your lemon-lime plant.
These bugs must be eradicated as soon as possible because they can readily spread to lemon-lime other plants or surfaces on the same plant. Dabbing these bugs with cotton balls soaked in alcohol will do the trick.
Root Rot
Root rot causes deformed yellow leaves, squishy stems, poor development, and wilting leaves in plants. Check the root ball right away if you see any of these issues.
If you locate any decaying or unhealthy roots, trim them off and repot the plant if necessary.
Leaf Spot Disease
If you notice any water-soaked areas on the surface of the leaves, your plant has leaf spot disease.
Avoid over-watering the plant and leaving the leaves moist for long periods. Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings to avoid excess moisture. To treat any infections, clean the leaves of your plant with neem oil.
Brown Leaf Tips
If the leaf tips are brown or curled, it means the plant is receiving too much sunlight. Another factor could be the presence of chlorine or other minerals in tap water. Low water or humidity may cause the whole browning of the leaves.
Use filtered water instead of tap water to solve this problem. I recommend storing the water in a container or bucket overnight. You should also consider moving your plant to a shadier location. Trim the damaged leaves last, and your plant will soon have lush green leaves once more.
Conclusion
The Lemon Lime Maranta quickly brightens up any space in your house with its bright neon coloration, easy-going temperament, and gorgeous trailing growth. Caring for them is also convenient since they will thrive if you give them the essentials they require to live.
Enjoy your new tropical beauty by following the care tips you’ve learned here.